On the night of September 15, a 498‑person Vietnamese contingent left Hanoi’s Nội Bài Airport for Japan, where the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 2026) will be held from September 19 to October 4. The delegation includes 83 athletes from the karate, wushu and rowing/canoeing squads, accompanied by coaches and officials, while a total of 348 competitors will contest 33 sports on Vietnam’s overall roster.
Sports authorities stressed the mission’s dual purpose: to win medals and to showcase Vietnam’s culture and hospitality. Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, director of the Sports Administration, urged athletes to stay healthy, respect the host nation’s laws and embody national pride. Delegation chief Nguyen Hong Minh reiterated the goal of securing at least four gold medals, adding that each athlete must push personal limits and contribute to a stronger medal base for future Asian Games cycles.
Vietnam’s strongest prospects lie in 10‑metre air pistol shooting (both men’s and women’s events), rowing, canoeing, and karate kata. Additional hopes rest on athletics, wushu, esports and other disciplines.
Early competitions have already begun, with men’s and women’s football starting on September 14 and volleyball on September 16. The women’s football team suffered a 1‑2 group‑stage loss to Taiwan, while the women’s volleyball side faced Qatar at 11:00 on September 18.
U‑23 defender Đinh Quang Kiệt was selected as the flag‑bearer for the opening ceremony on the night of September 19. The team will settle into pre‑arranged accommodations before commencing training and competition, aiming to bring home the coveted golds and reinforce Vietnam’s standing in Asian sport.